The Ethical Side of Spy Apps: When to Use Them?

Unless you’re 007 or you work with MI6, spying on someone else’s phone can sound distasteful even just thinking about it. There are many angles where it looks just plain wrong, intrusive and an absolute bad idea. But there are a couple of others, some of which we will be discussing in this article below, where it simply shows care, love, concern and a need for self-preservation.

If you are concerned about the morality of spying on someone’s mobile, then you already know that the first step is retrieving the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. Tech expert Alex Popa, in his insightful article, explains how to retrieve this number and how an IMEI tracker works. He also explains some of the limitations of using an IMEI tracker and why you might need a spy app to get the most out of IMEI tracking.

So you already know how; all that’s left is the why. The following are some perfectly understandable reasons why you might want to use a spy app.

Kids

If you had kids, then you certainly remember when they were cute, tiny and asleep in their baby cots, and you had a baby monitor with them. Well, your kids are all grown and mobile, so how you keep tabs on them also needs to be mobile — their mobile phone. It is within reason that you’re uncomfortable intruding on their privacy, and you can navigate this moral dilemma by informing them of the fact that you intend to use a spy app to track their movements. With insecurity ever on the rise wherever you are around the world, it’s important that you can know at most times where your kids are and what they are up to.

Some people might think using a spy app is overkill when they can use Google Maps or Apple’s Find My feature to keep track of their family members. But these only work as long as they are not switched off, and if they are in danger, anybody who knows their way around an iPhone or an Android mobile can very easily remove access. It will take someone more tech-savvy to remove access from a spy app, and it is unlikely that they are willing to go as far as scrubbing the IMEI data on the phone.

Partners

This is a sensitive topic; nobody likes to think their spouse is cheating on them, but data shows that 13% of women claim to have been involved with someone else in the course of their marriage, with 20% or 1 in 5 men saying the same. Everybody likes to think it will never be them, but sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry. Also, it is advisable that you use this as a last resort if you already have some suspicions; it is much cheaper and keeps your affairs private, unlike hiring a private investigator.

Seniors

If you have parents who are quite advanced in age, it is beneficial if you can track their movement at will, especially if they are still mobile, able to drive, and able to commute themselves. It makes them feel safer knowing you can easily keep tabs, and you feel more comfortable knowing that you can immediately make yourself available should they need help. It becomes a necessity if they have limited cognitive functioning, one such example being dementia. Having a spy app can be the difference between a regular Tuesday morning and having to file a missing person report.

Conclusion

Nobody wants an intrusion into their privacy, so these spy apps need to be used only when necessary. They are usually best put in place with express permission. You have the all-clear as long as they are intended to keep children and seniors safe and protect the sanctity of your marriage.